It was the point of no return.
As I clicked "confirm reservation" on the computer screen, I couldn't help but hesitate before making the downward motion with my pointer finger. Capitalized, red-colored words stared back at me from the screen warning me that once I paid, my decision was final. No refunds, no exchange.
Sure, I was just booking a hotel, not crossing wires that could - if this were a movie - set off the ticking time bomb.
As a young woman traveling alone, however, the stakes felt high. I was booking a hotel in a city I had never visited without knowing more than the most basic information - star rating, general location and cost.
That's right, I was booking with - sing it with me, now - H-O-T-W-I-R-E Hotwire dot com.
Whether you have used their service or not, chances are you have had that jingle play in your head long after its 15 seconds were up.
Despite its catchy tune, I had never really thought about booking through the website. I have been a dedicated Travelocity customer since I began making my own travel plans.
I am definitely the type of customer companies want because I am very loyal to my brands and companies. I tend to get comfortable just coming back to the same site I know and love, instead of trying something new - even if it means not getting as good of a deal.
This is not just in travel plans but life in general - just ask my lifelong friend who I met on spring break in 2006 and still talk to every other week.
Travelocity is also a sponsor for one of my favorite reality shows, "The Amazing Race," so when I think of travel, I think of Travelocity.
They should really offer me a job after a statement like that.
When I was planning my trip to Chicago, I followed my usual pattern of watching fares daily on the discount travel site and, when I finally got a worthwhile price on the flight, booking.
However, I was unable to find a hotel that fit my criteria - good location and budget friendly.
Neither did I want to get stuck out at the airport having to travel almost an hour into the city each time I wanted to see the sights, nor be in the middle of a shady area. Both of which were definitely more in my price range but not my lifestyle.
Throwing caution to the wind - with just a little bit of research from other Hotwire users about getting a place to stay - I left my bookmarked website and journeyed through the world-wide web to a site that promised four-star hotels at two-star prices.
After typing my information in, the site quickly went to work. Within seconds, I could chose hotels from as low as $49 per night to more than $200 per night. These options were definitely looking better.
Although it gave me a general location on a map, I had been warned that when you go to a city like Chicago you can go just a couple blocks off the main road and be in a section that is, well, less than desirable.
Not wanting to rub elbows with Al Capone's great-great nephew, I sought some extra help. Ahh, the Internet to the rescue again.
For those of you who, like myself, aren't ready to jump in into the world of secret hotels and bidding with both feet, I suggest you head to Betterbidding.com.
It isn't a particularly glamorous website, but its forum will help cautious deal seekers find a little more information about that "mystery" room.
Users can start a thread - providing all of the information about a hotel from Hotwire (or Priceline), such as star rating, dates of stay, number of rooms/people and amenities - and the website managers will try to guess the "secret" hotel.
I didn't have time to use this site because I was booking the night before I needed the room, but many of the forum's users reported back to let everyone know if they did, indeed, get the speculated hotel or not.
It also gives tips for those ready to start naming their own price on sites like Priceline.
Luckily, my hotel was wonderful. The 4-star hotel in the Water Tower area turned out to be The Drake, which has hosted kings, queens and, now, me since it opened in 1920.
Although still not as low as I wanted, I gawked when I saw the asking price on the hotel's website for my room. It was more than twice what I paid.
The room may have been in a fancy hotel on the exterior and in the main lobby and public areas of the interior, but the rooms were very much "Hiltonized."
With all the websites out there like Orbitz, Priceline and Travelocity, I can't imagine paying full price these days. It seems like a waste of money when there are so many good deals out there.
However, using those websites can come at another price - peace of mind and comfort if your four star feels more like the two you paid for.
Just remember, you didn't go somewhere to see the hotel, now did you?
•Contact Andrea Hall at ahall@gmail.com
